USA Today Review: 5 e-book readers for less than $175

artifact · 06-18-2011, 03:13 PM

Review of 5 eReaders at USA Today

Kobo Touch
Amazon Kindle
Aluratek Libre Air
Barnes & Noble Nook
?? (there seem to be only 4 in the review beyond the passing iPad reference below)

Quote:

I name the Nook and the Kobo eReader the winners of this test. I still think the iPad is better as an all-around e-reader because of its color screen, its backlighting and its size, which makes it ideal for PDF files. But the iPad starts at $499. At $130 or so, I can't fault anyone for getting a dedicated e-reader instead.

OtterBooks · 06-18-2011, 08:32 PM

Another review from a tech/business journalist who clearly has no clue why people buy dedicated e-ink readers.

toddos · 06-18-2011, 08:50 PM

FYI, fixed link.

RainingLemur · 06-18-2011, 09:25 PM

I think that maybe the reviewer counted the Kindle w/ 3g as another device, bringing the count up to 5.

SensualPoet · 06-18-2011, 09:26 PM

Yup, that is one lame article.

"The Kindle doesn't come off very well in this test, chiefly because the screen isn't touch-sensitive, forcing you to navigate with the aid of buttons."

and

"The Barnes & Noble Nook ($139) is another small triumph from a bookseller whose first e-reader, the original Nook, was shockingly bad."

and

"But it also comes with big drawbacks. It can't show color and can't be backlit for legibility in low light, and it takes time to switch between pages. The slow screen can also make the e-reader annoying to control, but the Nook makes the best of it by making the screen touch-sensitive."

and

"I still think the iPad is better as an all-around e-reader because of its color screen, its backlighting and its size, which makes it ideal for PDF files."

sabredog · 06-18-2011, 09:38 PM

Well strewth Mr Reviewer, because I cannot remember the last time I read a paperback novel that was full colour, had backlit pages and connected me to the internet....

I only want to READ and my ereaders give ME that ability, get it?

crich70 · 06-18-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainingLemur

I think that maybe the reviewer counted the Kindle w/ 3g as another device, bringing the count up to 5.

Or maybe, from the quote, he considers the Ipad to be one of the 5 even though it isn't as low priced as the other devices. Sort of a contrast so to speak. I still think the Kindle is # 1 myself.

GA Russell · 06-18-2011, 09:45 PM

I find it odd that he mentioned loading via a cable, but not SD cards. Do none of them take SD cards?

The Terminator · 06-18-2011, 10:01 PM

I bought a reader to read with! Imagine that. It does what I want, with not many fancy extras. This guy has no idea what he's talking about. Readers do almost everything a book does with a few exceptions, and try to adjust a pbooks fonts.

elcreative · 06-18-2011, 10:06 PM

Now why would reading be a point worth considering in an eReader?

crich70 · 06-19-2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

Now why would reading be a point worth considering in an eReader?

I havent got a clue elcreative.

jedifarfy · 06-19-2011, 01:50 AM

Well golly, if only we could all afford iPads, then everything would be super! World peace! Cure cancer! Somehow read BETTER!

All of these readers are great in their own ways. I love my original nook to pieces. It's definitely not 'shockingly bad', nor have I ever read a review that even indicated as much. On the other hand, I rarely read on my nookcolor because it's back lit and full of distractions.

Perhaps the review was too distracted by Angry Birds to do proper research or count.

sabredog · 06-19-2011, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedifarfy

Perhaps the review was too distracted by Angry Birds to do proper research or count.

Probably. Angry Birds use iPads anyways...

wyndslash · 06-19-2011, 05:17 AM

wow. this reviewer sounds...well, i don't want to be rude o_o;

CommonReader · 06-19-2011, 05:54 AM

Right at the start they explicitly claim to test "five e-readers priced from $114 to $164". Where is the one for $164?

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06-18-2011, 08:32 PM	#2
OtterBooks Wizard Posts: 1,262 Karma: 2979086 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina	Another review from a tech/business journalist who clearly has no clue why people buy dedicated e-ink readers.

06-18-2011, 08:50 PM	#3
toddos Guru Posts: 695 Karma: 822675 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kobo Aura, Nokia Lumia 920 (Freda)	FYI, fixed link.

06-18-2011, 09:25 PM	#4
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	I think that maybe the reviewer counted the Kindle w/ 3g as another device, bringing the count up to 5.

06-18-2011, 09:26 PM	#5
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	Yup, that is one lame article. "The Kindle doesn't come off very well in this test, chiefly because the screen isn't touch-sensitive, forcing you to navigate with the aid of buttons." and "The Barnes & Noble Nook ($139) is another small triumph from a bookseller whose first e-reader, the original Nook, was shockingly bad." and "But it also comes with big drawbacks. It can't show color and can't be backlit for legibility in low light, and it takes time to switch between pages. The slow screen can also make the e-reader annoying to control, but the Nook makes the best of it by making the screen touch-sensitive." and "I still think the iPad is better as an all-around e-reader because of its color screen, its backlighting and its size, which makes it ideal for PDF files."

06-18-2011, 09:38 PM	#6
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Well strewth Mr Reviewer, because I cannot remember the last time I read a paperback novel that was full colour, had backlit pages and connected me to the internet.... I only want to READ and my ereaders give ME that ability, get it?

06-18-2011, 09:45 PM	#8
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	I find it odd that he mentioned loading via a cable, but not SD cards. Do none of them take SD cards?

06-18-2011, 10:01 PM	#9
The Terminator Retired Posts: 2,552 Karma: 37638420 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Vancouver Island Canada Device: Kobo Touch, Optimus One (2.3), Nexus 7 (4.2)	I bought a reader to read with! Imagine that. It does what I want, with not many fancy extras. This guy has no idea what he's talking about. Readers do almost everything a book does with a few exceptions, and try to adjust a pbooks fonts.

06-18-2011, 10:06 PM	#10
elcreative Wizard Posts: 2,888 Karma: 5875940 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: PRS505, 600, 350, 650, Nexus 7, Note III, iPad 4 etc	Now why would reading be a point worth considering in an eReader?

06-19-2011, 01:50 AM	#12
jedifarfy Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 100 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: rooted nook color, nook wifi 1st edition	Well golly, if only we could all afford iPads, then everything would be super! World peace! Cure cancer! Somehow read BETTER! All of these readers are great in their own ways. I love my original nook to pieces. It's definitely not 'shockingly bad', nor have I ever read a review that even indicated as much. On the other hand, I rarely read on my nookcolor because it's back lit and full of distractions. Perhaps the review was too distracted by Angry Birds to do proper research or count.

06-19-2011, 05:17 AM	#14
wyndslash Wizard Posts: 2,951 Karma: 3000001 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire	wow. this reviewer sounds...well, i don't want to be rude o_o;

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06-19-2011, 05:54 AM	#15
CommonReader Fanatic Posts: 528 Karma: 2530000 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-T3, PRS-650, Vaio Tap 11, iPad Mini	Right at the start they explicitly claim to test "five e-readers priced from $114 to $164". Where is the one for $164?